The passionate few people in the forest were instantly startled by Xiao Li's voice. Someone screamed and hurriedly grabbed their clothes on the ground to cover themselves.Dugu Xiuchi. Bare-chested,..."My apologies." Dugu City greeted, then turned to Feng Lingxi, "Ling'xi, wait for me here. I have to go to the palace for a while. Prepare yourself first."

Although he knew it was highly unlikely he could make it, Duguo City's heart still hoped that he could. Being left behind felt like he wouldn't be able to leave for a long time.

"Come back soon."

Seeing Dugu City leave, Feng Lingxi looked at Wan'er who was full of disappointment, walked over and hugged her in his arms.

"Mother, are we not going to make it"

Feng Lingxi softly said, "No, it's just that it will be a bit later. The emperor suddenly summoned your father into the palace, there might be an urgent matter, we'll wait for him to return at home."

Wan'er nodded, but she couldn't feel happy no matter what.

"Xiao Li, take Wan'er inside the mansion to rest first. I'll come clean up."

Feng Lingxi ordered, putting Wan'er down and letting Xiao Li lead Wan'er inside. The Emperor knew they were leaving the capital today, but he summoned Dugu Cheng to the palace at this very moment. She thought, today's departure was impossible.

Just as Feng Lingxi had thought, Dugucheng had just entered the palace for a short time before sending word to have them return home and delay their departure.

Study Room

Dugu Cheng followed Qian Zhen in and saw Yuan Zhaodi reviewing the memorials. He stepped forward and bowed.

"I have seen the Emperor."

"Your Majesty, the Prince of Chen has arrived."

Zhao Gonggong reminded from the side, after Emperor Yuan Zhao finished reading the edict in his hand, he raised his head and looked at Dugu Cheng, "Mr. Qian, you may go down first."

After Qian Zhen retreated, Emperor Yuan Zhao frowned, “Prince Chen, I stopped you here because there are some things I want to say to you privately. Have a look at this.”

Looking at the imperial edict handed over by Emperor Yuan Zhao, Zhao Gonggong hurriedly took it and gave it to Dugu City. Looking at the content on it, Dugu City's eyes were full of astonishment.

"I want you to investigate the whereabouts of Dugu Feng. Once there is news, report it to me immediately."

"I receive your decree."

Above mentioned the clues of Dugu Feng, the Five Kings of the Great Yuan Dynasty, is the most mysterious, missing for more than ten years. Now let him investigate this, where to start

“I know this is a difficult thing for you, you've been guarding the border long enough, now I ask you to find someone. It's just that besides asking you for help, I don't know who else to ask to do this. My father's greatest regret in his life was the whereabouts of my fifth brother. When my fifth brother and the wise concubine disappeared, it has always been a thorn in my father's side. Now that we have a lead, I still hope to investigate.”

"I understand, I will do everything in my power to investigate the whereabouts of Duke Feng."

“Here are some organized clues about Dugu Feng, keep them and investigate thoroughly. Of my six brothers, only four of us remain. If we can find all of them, even the late emperor will be pleased.”

Emperor Yuanzhao sighed, "Right now, I ask for nothing. All I desire is for the Great Yuan Dynasty's empire to be stable, and to find Dugu Feng. That would be enough."

"May the Emperor's blessings be upon all his people, and may the Great Yuan Dynasty's empire remain strong. I will do my utmost to safeguard the Emperor's realm and help him find Lord Feng."

Emperor Yuan Zhao nodded, but Duguxing still had no intention of handing over his military power.

Though he spoke plainly, it seemed his words had no effect. It appears we can't touch Du Gu Cheng for now. We should wait until You Wang eliminates him, then slowly deal with Du Gu Cheng.

"There's one more thing I want to tell you before you leave."

Upon hearing this, Dugu City felt a sense of unease.

This was to intercept him as he returned to Linxi County. Dugu City bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, please speak."

Yesterday, I visited my Empress Dowager. Her body seemed a little off. I asked the imperial physicians to check on her, but she refused. I'm a bit worried about the Empress Dowager's health. Princess Consort Chen is skilled in medicine, so I was thinking of asking her to take a look at the Empress Dowager. This way, you can leave with peace of mind, and I can rest easy as well.

Hearing that the Empress Dowager was unwell, Dugu City's heart suddenly tightened. He wanted to speak, but didn't know how to begin.

Now that she is the Empress Dowager, she cannot express her feelings for him as openly as before. That would give the Emperor the wrong impression; after all, he is the Emperor and she is his subject. She cannot be disrespectful to her sovereign and risk giving him the wrong idea.

"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is unwell. It would be best to have the imperial physician attend to her. Although Xi'er possesses some medical skill, she is not an imperial physician. Allowing her to enter the palace to treat the Empress Dowager would bring dishonor upon the Imperial Medical Bureau. I believe it is inappropriate."

"This…"

Emperor Yuan Zhao didn't expect Dugu City to refuse, he had planned to keep them here during this opportunity, it seems there is no chance now.

"Very well, then. I shall try it."

Dugu City bowed and said, “I am willing to accompany Your Majesty to visit the Empress Dowager and persuade her to seek medical treatment.”

"First, go to Ci'an Palace and see the Empress Dowager. I've sent the imperial physician over. I tried to persuade her, but she wouldn't listen. You try talking to her, perhaps you can reason with her."

"Your humble servant obeys."

Although Dugu Cheng didn't know why the Emperor hadn't gone with him, it was clear that the Emperor wanted to give him and the Empress Dowager some time alone. The Empress Dowager had been in good health the past two days, so why would she suddenly become unwell

Although he was doubtful, Dugu City still went to Ci'an Palace.

"His Royal Highness, the Prince of Shen!"

When the Empress Dowager heard that Prince Chen had arrived, she was a little dazed and looked at the maidservant beside her. "Didn't Prince Chen leave for the capital today"

"This servant will go and have a look, Your Majesty."

獨孤城 entered the hall and bowed respectfully.

"I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."

"City boy What are you doing here"

The Empress Dowager hastily got up and walked over to help Dugu Cheng up. Their eyes met, and Dugu Cheng looked at the Empress Dowager's rosy complexion. She didn't seem unwell as the Emperor had said. What was the Emperor's purpose in asking him to see his mother

"To the Dowager Empress, your servant has heard that Your Majesty is not feeling well and has come to pay my respects. I hope Your Majesty is well."

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's expression flickered.

"What did the Emperor say to you"

Dugu City responded, and the Empress returned to her seat. "My body, confined to this palace every day, is either ill or bored. It's nothing serious," she said.

"Your Highness, Prince Chen, the Empress Dowager hasn't been sleeping well these past two days. She coughs at night, and it gets worse in the late hours. However, she seems fine during the day."

Upon hearing her grandmother's words, Dugu City's face was filled with worry.

"Empress Dowager, why don't you see the imperial physician"

The Empress Dowager, seeing Dugu City's anxious expression, waved her hand. "It's nothing, just a cough at night. It's early summer, and the temperature is unstable. The difference between day and night temperatures is large. I caught a chill last night, so coughing is normal. In a few days, it will be fine."

But…

Before Dugu City could finish speaking, the Empress Dowager stopped him.

"It's alright. Didn't you return to Xicounty today How did you come to the palace"

Dugu Cheng said truthfully, "The Emperor summoned me. I entered the palace to see His Majesty and only then did I learn that the Empress Dowager was unwell."

If the Empress Dowager were like this, how could he leave peacefully

He knew his mother had always disliked this life in the imperial harem. Over all these years with the emperor, she had lived with him in the Fourth Prince's Mansion, calling herself the Old Madam Wang and refusing to identify as a noble consort. She simply didn't enjoy palace life. Now that she was confined within these deep palaces, he feared she might even get sick from being bored.treat it and she will be well soon.""Really"Dugu Cheng wasn't quite convinced. If that were true, why would the Emperor tell him this"I dare not lie.""Er'er, the imperial physician has spoken. You can...